This carbon wheel issue has been burning a hole in my soul for so long. The twin headed snake of thrift and indecision (not such an impressive snake as far as twin headed snakes go) held me at the impasse for years. Having @mauibike commit to all carbon for his lifetime wheelset needs got me hot. Seeing Fabs winning Paris-Roubaix and the Ronde on his Aeolius 5.0 wheels made the fever burn higher.
Maui is a very gusty place to ride and I was loath to own some deep section rims that would be the death of me. Looking pro while getting blown off the road at speed, uncool. Bontrager has the budget to blow on high speed computing and wind tunnels to make sure Gianni is not buffeted unduly. They also use Alpina spokes with plastic inserts so the the wheel should be truable for years.
Ebay is full of people who buy tubular wheels then sell them after very light use (or their first flat tire). Voila, Gianni finally owns Fabooo’s tubular wheels.
The first impression on the first ride was holy smokes, these float uphill. The weight difference was what impressed me immediately. I take off the front wheel when transporting the bike and I still marvel at its lightness. This lightness is also noticeable when cornering and not in a good way. The flywheel effect of a heavier aluminum rim is diminished making the steering, for lack of a better term, whippy. I’m used to it now but for the first few weeks the front end felt less stable.
My wife was quite vexed that I was undroppable on climbs; these wheels were feeling better and better. The improved climbing alone was enough to make me embrace the benefit of carbon construction.
It was during the first descent of Haleakala volcano where the other lightbulb switched on in my dim brain. Unintentionally I was going into every corner faster than usual. My V-meter does not give me data to substantiate the feeling but these wheels are more impressive going down than they are going up. They are fast. When you get off the brakes on a descent the bike just hauls more ass. To add to their list of wonders, they are very stable in gusty crosswinds too. The windtunnel testing was money well spent. Score one for the boffins.
I have not done enough riding in wet weather to have an opinion on rainy day braking. This is my number one bike after all and I’ve avoided the real steep descents if I have a choice.
To address the original question in the original article; can carbon wheels be one’s everyday, go-to wheels? I now say absolutely. These aero wheels are faster in all directions, why would you deny yourself that pleasure everyday. They do cost a huge amount to money new. That is their one massive downside. They can be had reasonably if one looks at slightly used tubulars, what is not to love about that? If one buys the premise that wheels are the most important upgrade to a bike, then buying light, aero, carbon wheels is the way to go.
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@Ken Ho
Aye, which is her biggest advantage: On a windy day - exactly when a disc is fastest - the opposition moves to the shallowest wheels they can find. Years of riding in the gusty desert plains makes you intimately familiar with crosswind reactions...
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm 6'1' and in the low 180 lbs range. Terrain is invariably lumpy with surfaces that could be described as pretty decent. With something in the 38mm range, can you use long valves or is it best to use extenders? I'd rather not mess with those.
@wiscot
Ok, my experience:
I have 24's, 38's and 58's carbon clinchers.
38's are the perfect sweet spot do anything wheel. 58's are good and fast once you get them up to speed but obviously are cross wind affected. They are roughly 200 grams heavier than the 38's (1550 grams as opposed to 1350 grams). For my money, you want to ride the lightest possible wheels, especially for when the road goes up or when you want a wheel that accelerates well. That's why I have the 24's as well (1290 grams). I use these on my CX race bike. Good for punchy climbs.
With the 38's, you just purchase tubes that have either 50 or 60 mm valves. The 58's make this more difficult as you will need a 20mm valve extender, or alternatively buy 80mm tubes.
I've done the research for myself about the weight benefits of Tubular versus clincher. For myself, I've concluded that weight wise, it's a break even proposition. The weight you save on the rim goes back into the inherently heavier tubular tire casing. Of course you have to use light tubes like Schwalbe SV20's or Conti Supersonics to keep it even but the rolling benefits are there as well.
Also, because I'm a tight arse, I'm much happier to replace a $20 tube than a $100 tire.
@mouse
Here's a thought.
Reliability > aero > weight.
Here's another.
Regardless of any other consideration, remember that anyone who rocks up to a casual ride on carbon tubs better be ready to dish out the V, or look like a COTHO if dropped.
@Gianni
Heat build up has been a concern for some time - as too performance in the wet. Reynolds suggestion...
http://www.reynoldscycling.com/wheels/small-parts
@wiscot
@mouse
Just got back from 90 min with winds in the high teens (mph) gusting into the low 20s. My Aeolus 3s (35mm) rode wonderfully. I agree with @mouse that 35-40ish is the premier do-all wheelset.
Not to do the clincher/tubular debate thing, but I much more often wear out tubulars than have them puncture. And I think the advantages of a tubular rim multiply when you go to carbon. Hence for me, it's all about good valve extenders (even with the 35mm depth) rather than stem length on inner tubes. The red Bontagers work just fine for me.
Quick update to the above post: per Weatherspark, wind speed was a steady 26mph with gusts to 34 mph. No wonder it was tough grinding into the wind! Make the handling of the Aeolus 3s even more impressive -- I think I was steadier in the wind than my compatriot was on his low-profile clinchers.
I knew I was asking for advice in the right place. Thanks guys!
@Ken Ho
That's such total bullshit and precisely why the world hates roadies. Ride whatever Looks Fantastic and gets you stoked about riding your bike. I have so many carbon wheels in my stable, my real treat is pulling out my Ambrosio Nemsis' from their Campa wheel bags, taking a deep sniff of the $400 worth of FMB's glued on, slip them into the bike I'm riding that day, and feeling that cooshy box section love. If I join a group ride on my lightweight carbon tubulars its just because I don't feel like wasting those beauties on a ride that isn't worth it.
Never judge a book by its cover, unless that book is wearing a YJA, has hairy legs, has a visor on their helmet, violates the principle of silence or is otherwise violating the principle pillars of The Rules, (like using a fucking mirror, ahem).